Preview: Earn Your Mittens

A couple years back, I had heard of this thing called “Earn Your Mittens.”  It is a challenge where you run the Wisconsin Marathon in Kenosha on Saturday, then the Kalamazoo marathon the next day. I though at the time that I would like to try it sometime.  Then last September, I guess I decided that 2016 would be a great time to try it.  At the time it seemed like a great idea, now it just seems a little insane.  But, sometimes running is insane.  Well, the Earn Your Mittens weekend is here.

To make this weekend experience if more insane, after a less than desirable performance at the Carmel Marathon, I will be running the Wisconsin Marathon aiming to run under 3 hours.  The Carmel Marathon was 3 weeks ago, not much time for recovery. This will probably make the Kalamazoo Marathon a little unpleasant.

I will be honest, since my coach and I talked about going all out at the Wisconsin Marathon (conversation probably began about 10 minutes after I crossed the finish line in Carmel), I have not thought much about the Kalamazoo Marathon at all.  All preperation has been focused on the Wisconsin Marathon and whatever happens in Kalamzoo, happens.  

Here is what I know about the two races.  Looking at the map for Wisconsin, it is mostly a North/South course along Lake Michigan.  Depending on the wind direction, this could be a benefit.  At the time of me writing this blog however, winds will be out of the North between 15-18 mph. Not ideal.  Really hoping for the wind to be coming out of the east or west.  There is also a chance of rain/thunderstorm.

Also after talking with fellow BibRave Pro, Lisa (who is from the Kenosha area and earned her mittens last year), it is a mostly flat course with a hill at mile 9. So with all this in mind, here is how my coach and I have planned this race out. The first 7 miles, I will aim for low 6:50 pace.  This is a few seconds slower than Carmels opening miles.  Miles 8-19, I will be aiming for around 6:40. This is when the wind we be at my back the most, if the weather doesn’t change. Miles 20 to the finish is basically what I have left in the tank.  It will be interesting with the wind as these miles all head north.  Lisa also shared that there really isn’t much of a crowd on the second half of the race so I am not expecting much support.  
Truthfully, with only 3 weeks between marathons, I will be happy with a sub 3 hour marathon.  Anything faster is an added bonus.

As for Kalamazoo, there really isn’t much of a plan other than to finish without an injury.  I can guarantee one thing, there will be walking involved. If I had to come up with a time goal, I would say keep it under 4 hours.   All that I really know about this course is that it is really hilly.  Walking up some hills are probably in my future. 

I won’t be alone on this adventure.  My wife Tina (you can read her post on the upcoming weekend here), is running the Half Marathon Challenge.  I feel bad for how long she will be waiting for me on Sunday. 

When I originally planned on running this weekend challenge, the plan was to run both marathons relaxed.  Things don’t alway go as planned however.  So it will be business on Saturday and just enjoy the run (or walk) on Sunday.

Boston Marathon Training (Week 14)

  Just 2 weeks left until my ultimate marathon goal is met.  

This week I came down with a bad chest cold which forced me to start tapering a week earlier than I planed on.  In parentheses, I will put in what I was scheduled to do so you can see the changes that I had to make.  

  

Monday: recovery run. Took this run very 5.38 miles

Tuesday: 10:00 warm up, 2×8:00 intervals with 1:30 active rest inbetween (was supposed to be 4×8:00) 14:00 cool down. Legs were dead, could not get the heart rate up at all.  5.22 miles

Wednesday: off

Thursday: off

Friday: 2 mile warm up, Green Day Frolic 5k 

Saturday: 8 miles (was supposed to be 14-16 miles but still hacking and dead legs from a hard 5k)

Sunday:  spent all day walking around downtown Indy.

As I was told this week by the all wise and knowing, Mark Mikel (high school coach) who taped into his inner Bill Bowerman, “the hay is in the barn.” Despite not having a good week and not feeling 100%, the real work and training has already been done.  It is now time to taper and get to feeling 100%.  

  

Tina and I have already begun packing.  It’s one of those trips that you just don’t want to forget anything that we will need so we just pack it as we think about it.  So for me, that has included my athlete passport, space blankets from past marathons to use to sit on and keep warm in athletes village, extra pair of shoes to ensure I have a dry pair at the start, and toilet paper (you never know if the port a potties will run out before the race starts). Everything else I will pack this weekend. 

Boston Marathon Training (Week 13)

Week 13 of training is now in the books, that leaves 21 days from today until the 119th Boston Marathon.  Training wasn’t too difficult this week but enough.  Things will start to slowly degrees in intensity and distance from here until race day.

Monday: rest day after Sunday’s 24 miles

Tuesday: 15:00 warmup, 3x1k with 1:30 active recovery, 3:00 easy, 3x1k with 1:30 active recovery, 10:00 cool down. 8.17 miles

Wednesday: off. Early morning rain.  Now is not the time to get sick 

Thursday: 10:00 warmup, 4×8:00 interval with 2:00 active recovery between each, 10:00 cool down. 7.83 miles

Friday: easy run, 5.15 miles

Saturday: Garmin battery did not charge over night, postponed run till Sunday morning

Sunday: 20 mile long run, picked up the pace to just a little slower than goal race pace for last 8 miles

While things will become lighter this week, tapering does not truly begin until next week. 

Boston Marathon participants started getting their passports for the race as early as Friday. I finally got mine this afternoon.  And thanks to the help of the United States Postal Service, mine was already opened.  

  

 

Luckily, it appears nothing was missing. 

This is the most important thing that was sent: 

 

Believe it or not, this is probably my first “passport.” This is what will get me my bib number at the expo.  I just can’t lose this card on the back.  Once again, thanks to the United States Postal Services.  

 

Also included was information on the expo and other things to do while in Boston.  This should all come in handy for Tina and I as we try to plan out some free time.   

 Also inside are some good maps that will be used to help Tina figure out where to watch from and also where to meet me after the race.

It’s all getting real now.  Just 21 days!